Struggling For Survival: Women Scavenging For Food Amid Economic Hardship

Explore the heartbreaking stories of women scavenging for food in Lagos markets, driven by poverty and desperation. Learn about the causes, risks, and possible solutions to this growing crisis.

The Harsh Reality of Women Scavenging for Survival

In the bustling markets of Lagos, a disheartening scene has become a grim reality. Married women and mothers, who once thrived as self-sufficient caregivers, now find themselves combing through piles of discarded waste to provide for their families.

Their once gentle hands, which nurtured their children and tended to their homes, now sift through decaying produce and filth, driven by the desperate need to put food on their tables.

Causes of the Downward Spiral

The plight of these women can be traced to several devastating factors:

Job Loss – For some families, the breadwinner’s sudden job loss shattered financial stability.
Illness – Medical emergencies drained their savings, leaving them vulnerable.
Premature Death – Many lost their breadwinners to unforeseen tragedies such as terminal illnesses.
Rising Costs – The relentless inflation in living expenses has pushed many families into the abyss of poverty.

Misjudged by Society

At first glance, these women could be mistaken for people scavenging out of mental instability. However, their grim reality reveals a different story—they are mothers fighting for survival. They search through heaps of waste, salvaging spoiled produce like vegetables and fruits to prepare meals for their starving families.

Under the cover of darkness, their mission begins: to collect edible scraps from the cast-off produce left behind by market vendors. Despite the stench of decay, their resolve is fueled by the thought of their children going to bed hungry.

Scavenging in Silence

In markets such as Jakande Gate, Oke-Afa, Isolo, and Igando, these women scavenge discreetly. Their scarves conceal their faces as they sift through garbage bags in search of perished peppers, spoilt yams, and other items that can be salvaged.

Even late into the night, they move like shadows, their bags heavy with discarded produce that society no longer values. Once home, they turn these scraps into meals for their families.

Ingenuity Amid Adversity

In places like the Oke-Afa market, some women have transformed their scavenging into small businesses. They collect rotten plantains and convert them into crispy, peppered snacks, which they sell to commuters stuck in traffic. This ingenuity, however, doesn’t erase the heartbreaking reality of their daily struggles.

Homeless and Hopeless

For many of these women, scavenging is not the only hardship. Homelessness looms large. They often seek refuge in makeshift shelters fashioned from waste bins, locally known as “bollers.” These shelters, located near refuse dumps, offer little protection but are their only option.

Begging as a Last Resort

During the day, some women resort to begging at crowded bus stops like Ladipo and PWD. With babies strapped to their backs, they plead for alms before heading to markets like Arena and Mile 12 to scavenge for food.

Others arrive at these markets early in the morning, vying with other scavengers for discarded produce, such as tomatoes, peppers, and yams. Competition is fierce, and options are dwindling as sellers find new ways to profit from items they once discarded.

Personal Stories of Struggle

Linda, a mother of three, shares her heart-wrenching story. Her husband lost his job 18 months ago, leaving the family with no steady income. To survive, Linda joined other women in scavenging food at markets like Idi-Oro and Mushin.

“I used to carry loads for people, but when the prices rose and payments didn’t increase, I couldn’t make enough to feed my children,” she said.

Another woman, Matha Ogidi, recounts her struggles after her husband’s accident left him bedridden. With no stable home, her family moved between uncompleted buildings before settling in a makeshift shelter. She scavenges for expired products and discarded fish heads, her primary source of protein, though even these are now scarce.

Health Risks and Expert Concerns

Health experts warn of severe risks associated with scavenged foods. Children consuming such food are exposed to:

Contamination – Harmful pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and moulds.
Toxins – Chemicals from cleaning agents, pesticides, and battery acid often found in trash.
Malnutrition – Scavenged food lacks essential nutrients, leading to developmental delays and chronic illnesses like anaemia.

Prof. Ekanem Ekure, President of the Paediatric Association of Nigeria, describes this situation as a national emergency. She explains that food-borne illnesses, lead poisoning, and long-term health issues like cancer are among the potential dangers.

Children’s growth and development are time-sensitive, as their early years provide a limited window for proper brain and physical development. Missing this critical period by failing to provide adequate nutrition can have lasting consequences.

Iron deficiency, one of the most common global nutritional issues, highlights this problem. Without balanced nutrition, children may suffer from anemia, leaving them pale, weak, and fatigued. This deficiency also hampers brain development, leading to poor academic performance and developmental delays, with long-term effects that can last a lifetime.

Moreover, food contamination poses additional risks. For instance, choking hazards in improperly monitored food can lead to life-threatening situations. Prolonged exposure to unsafe food can weaken a child’s immune system, making them more vulnerable to infections, which further exacerbate malnutrition.

Psychological and social consequences are equally severe. Children who scavenge for food from trash bins often face shame, stigma, and mental stress, resulting in long-term trauma and social isolation. Witnessing such conditions can damage their self-esteem and sense of worth, creating mental scars that persist into adulthood. These children may struggle with social interactions and develop feelings of inferiority, perpetuating a cycle of psychological and social challenges.

Experts stress the urgent need to address child nutrition and food insecurity. Governments must treat these issues as emergencies, implementing immediate measures to combat hunger and ensure access to safe, nutritious food. Communities can also play a role by organizing relief efforts to support families in need.

Dr. Obinna Ogbonna of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital links this crisis to economic hardship, noting that families forced to scavenge for food are at risk of severe malnutrition and related health complications, such as cholera, typhoid, gastroenteritis, and even some cancers. Malnutrition compromises the immune system, leaving individuals more susceptible to infections, which, in turn, worsen malnutrition. This vicious cycle increases morbidity and mortality rates.

Ogbonna emphasized the need for corporate social responsibility, suggesting initiatives like creating employment opportunities, stabilizing food prices, and supporting farmers to improve food security. He also advocated for government interventions, such as opening food silos and implementing price controls on staple foods.

Sociologists, including Professors Bisi Ajala and Samuel Oluranti, highlighted the social implications of food scavenging. They described the practice as degrading and un-African, driven by widespread poverty. Scavenging not only erodes human dignity but also reflects poorly on society’s development, as food security is a fundamental measure of progress.

Ajala pointed out that reliance on scavenging undermines the ability to produce competent leaders and perpetuates a cycle of dependency and underdevelopment. Oluranti added that the loss of extended family support systems has exacerbated the problem, as the community’s traditional role in assisting struggling families has diminished.

To address these issues, the experts called for the implementation of social safety nets and policies aimed at reducing poverty. Providing meaningful, sustainable support, rather than short-term solutions like public palliatives, is essential to break the cycle of food insecurity and restore dignity to affected families.

Ultimately, this crisis demands urgent attention and collaboration from governments, communities, and private organizations to ensure that no child is forced to eat from trash bins in a society that aspires to progress.

A Call for Change

These women’s stories paint a grim picture of the impact of poverty on Lagos families. While the city’s gleaming towers stand as symbols of progress, they also cast long shadows over those struggling to survive.

The cycle of hardship faced by these women and their children demands urgent attention. Government intervention, economic reforms, and social support systems are essential to offering them a lifeline and breaking the cycle of poverty.